9/22/2012 recording date. audio/video is 25 minutes
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Come Forth From The Grave

I am your host Christina Farris from turtle30cshell.com. I
will be speaking today on coming forth to life from the
grave. Lazarus was just a man, a friend of Jesus who
became suddenly ill. Four days later when Jesus arrived
in the town where Lazarus lived he find his friend dead
and buried in a tomb. However the story does not end
there for Lazarus and neither does the grave end for us.
The choice of eternity is made before death, and eternal
life is given to all that believe in Jesus. Let us begin by
reading the story of Lazarus.

John 11:1-4 KJV
(1)  Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of
Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
(2)  (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with
ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother
Lazarus was sick.)
(3)  Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord,
behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
(4)  When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not
unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God
might be glorified thereby.

The sickness is not unto death but for the glory Jesus
said. Yet Lazarus would die, yet Lazarus was a believer
and a friend of Jesus. His death was physical but not
spiritual. Lazarus was dying man in the physical. Yet in
the spiritual he would live. His death was so the Son of
God could be glorified. Christ would perform a miracle in
raising Lazarus from the grave, yet no grave could of held
Lazarus for he was a believer.

Often has human’s we think of death being only physical,
not realizing each human life has a soul. The soul is never
talked about because it not something seen with the
naked eye. It is something human’s can’t read, but only
God. It is the private part no one knows but God. God
knows the intent of every action of man, because he sees
the soul. He knows if the heart is evil or love. If what has
motivate a person thoughts and actions is done for
selfish gain or for God’s glory. God knows if one believes
in Jesus or lip service is paid in church or to others who
are thought to be believers. It is the very window that
declares to God whether His Spirit has sealed you as His
child.

John 11:5-9 KJV
(5)  Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
(6)  When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he
abode two days still in the same place where he was.
(7)  Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go
into Judaea again.
(8)  His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late
sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
(9)  Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the
day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not,
because he seeth the light of this world.

Has anyone ever wondered why Jesus disciples lived in
fear of everything around them, yet each time Jesus
would escape death from those who wish Him dead.

“Jesus said is there not twelve hours in a day? If any man
walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth and
light of this world.”

Jesus was to go and see Lazarus, yet his disciples were
concerned because of the Jews that sought to kill Jesus.
Christ death was coming. Yet it was not yet time. If
disciples could see the light and not stumble then they
only have to worry about night time. As long as Jesus
with them they could perceive who he was, but the night
of Christ capture the disciples would run away into the
night, because they were not prepared or understood
Christ had to die. Yet this is about Lazarus. We all have to
die sometime. As long as we can see the road ahead we
able to walk, but darkness comes to all that do not trust
in God. Faith must be obtained while we can see what is
before us or we will perish.

A blind man in adulthood remembers the light of
childhood and all they understood and perceived with the
eye. Yet as adult when blindness occurs those memories
remain. Though memories fade, the light of yesteryears
remain. So it is with people of faith that faulter, they
might be blinded, but the faith of years gone by remain in
memory to draw to guide one through the time of lack of
sight. Jesus did not leave, but the ways of the world
came filtering in to try and destroy the light in our hearts,
only to realize the light of yesteryears still shining bright
unchanged unmoved. Hopefully this will renew the Spirit
of hope in our lives. It not enough to know that Jesus
exist, one has to be willing to walk with Jesus along life’s
many roads. For the road the takes one to death, must
either have a light at the end or darkness. Many people
that have after life experience claim of seeing a tunnel
with a light at the end of it. God is light. Yet inside that
tunnel was darkness. Each of us must stand before our
maker, yet whether we spend eternity in heaven and hell
is based on faith in Jesus.

The disciples struggled with faith, they ever seeing yet
not fully grasping the power of God. David a man of faith
slew Goliath without fear. Fear is not issue of a believer.
Fear for a believer is reverence towards God. For a
believer we learn courage because of God’s working
ability in our life. Yet the disciples had Jesus with them
and yet through every storm that came Jesus and them
were protected, yet they were afraid of going to see
Lazarus because of the Jews. Whatever would the
disciples due when Christ physically left them, one has to
wonder.

John 11:10-15 KJV
(10)  But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because
there is no light in him.
(11)  These things said he: and after that he saith unto
them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may
awake him out of sleep.
(12)  Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do
well.
(13)  Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought
that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
(14)  Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
(15)  And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to
the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.

Lazarus was dead though no one on earth but Jesus
proclaimed it to the disciples it was for there beneath that
they might understand when they got to Mary and Martha
place in Bethany. God speaks to our hearts about things
that is to come. Many people will try and prophecy to you
about events through clues, through known truth, yet
God speaks to your heart about things not uttered yet.
This is one way you know it is God. Jesus did miracles,
prophecy for the benefit of the disciples so they might
believe. Yet even with all miracles and all prophecy there
were those that still did not grasp like Thomas. Thomas
was a doubter and often misunderstood Christ words. Yet
his question and comments are much like any one
without understanding of Christ words. Thomas felt fear
because he believed not, he feared what would happen to
Jesus and to possibly himself. He feared because He
understood not, yet he was not afraid of death, in fact
some might say he look forward to it, with what he
understood. Let us continue reading.

John 11:16-18 KJV
(16)  Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto
his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with
him.
(17)  Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in
the grave four days already.
(18)  Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen
furlongs off:

Jesus was on his way to Bethany He heard the news that
Lazarus was in the grave four days. This told the
disciples what Christ spoke was true. Thomas thought
Jesus was going to Bethany and would die, and so he
was in agreement to go so Jesus would not die alone.
Thomas would become a believer not at this time but
after Jesus appears to him after the resurrection and
sees the nail scarred hands. Thomas need to see, he was
blind to the protection of God and the power of God. Yet
he loved his friend. Sometimes faith begins with love.
Meaning some people love the works of Christ and that
where for them faith begins. Yet it is the signs and
wonders of God that convinces them of the reality of
God. Jesus was only fifteen furlongs away, approximately
less then two miles or 9000 feet when Martha meet Jesus.
Let us continue reading.

John 11:19-30 KJV
(19)  And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to
comfort them concerning their brother.
(20)  Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was
coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
(21)  Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst
been here, my brother had not died.
(22)  But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask
of God, God will give it thee.
(23)  Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
(24)  Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again
in the resurrection at the last day.
(25)  Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the
life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet
shall he live:
(26)  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never
die. Believest thou this?
(27)  She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art
the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the
world.
(28)  And when she had so said, she went her way, and
called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is
come, and calleth for thee.
(29)  As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and
came unto him.
(30)  Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was
in that place where Martha met him.



The events of mourning and grief for Jesus were a sign
of human compassion for friend, yet Martha understood
not why Jesus had not prevented Lazarus death. Yet she
understood Lazarus would have life in the resurrection
because of faith. Martha a believer understood not
Lazarus already had life. Life meaning eternal life because
of faith. Yet she understood a resurrection was coming
and Lazarus would live.

Moses and Elijah was present at the transfiguration
before several disciples before the crucifixion a sign of
eternal life through faith in God. The promise already
existed. God’s grace through faith, because Abraham
believed God and it was counted to Him as
righteousness. God spoke and Abraham believed the
Word of God. Jesus was the sacrificial lamb, dying so all
might believe in God’s Word. Jesus is the Word of God in
the flesh. The Resurrected Word. Jesus would question
Martha if she believed He was the resurrection and life
and she would say yes Lord I believe you are the Christ
the Son of God. Meaning she understood He was the one
prophesied about and because of this she believed in
God and the Son of God. Let us continue reading our
story.


John 11:31-36 KJV
(31)  The Jews then which were with her in the house,
and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up
hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth
unto the grave to weep there.
(32)  Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and
saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord,
if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
(33)  When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the
Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in
the spirit, and was troubled,
(34)  And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto
him, Lord, come and see.
(35)  Jesus wept.
(36)  Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

Mary accused Jesus of not being there, she knew if He
been there her brother would be alive. Jesus wept. The
short verse in the Bible with impact. Jesus wept for His
friend. I have to wonder if He wept for sorrow, or for He
knew that He was bring Larazus back from heaven for the
benefit of those around Him. Yet those who witnessed it
perceived he wept for His friend because He loved him. In
all truth this is why Jesus wept. He wept for love. How
often at funerals we wept for our loss for our mourning
unless we understood that a person was not believer as
far as we know then we might mourn for them spiritually.
Yet usually our mourning is for our loss. For a person is
special to us and we loosing someone dear to us. Yet if
they be a believer like us then our hope is we will one day
see them again in heaven.

Some begin to wonder and made remarks of the fact if
Jesus had done all the miracles in the past why did he not
heal Lazarus. Death actually is a form of healing if one is
believer. Yet they were looking for the miracle not death.
They were looking for life. Jesus went to the grave. Let
us continue the story.


John 11:37-46 KJV
(37)  And some of them said, Could not this man, which
opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this
man should not have died?
(38)  Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to
the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
(39)  Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the
sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this
time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
(40)  Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if
thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of
God?
(41)  Then they took away the stone from the place where
the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said,
Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
(42)  And I knew that thou hearest me always: but
because of the people which stand by I said it, that they
may believe that thou hast sent me.
(43)  And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud
voice, Lazarus, come forth.
(44)  And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and
foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about
with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let
him go.
(45)  Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and
had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
(46)  But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees,
and told them what things Jesus had done.


Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, though Mary had not
wanted the stone removed because His body would
began to stink from decay. Mary had not grasp the
possibly have receiving her brother alive from the grave.
Her hope being in what she could perceive and not like
Martha that believeth in the resurrection. They remove
the stone and Jesus groaned and cried out Lazarus come
forth and out walks Lazarus whether he stunk or not who
knows, for there was rejoicing and many believed in
Jesus that day. Lazarus was not the first person Jesus
had risen from the grave, but the longest time had past
four full days when the body would had begun the
decaying process that comes to all flesh that is not
embalmed. There were those in the crowd that went and
tattled to the religious leaders of what happened. This
event did not please the leaders, in fact it infuriated them
even more and this began their plot to kill Jesus.


John 11:47-57 KJV
(47)  Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a
council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many
miracles.
(48)  If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him:
and the Romans shall come and take away both our place
and nation.
(49)  And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high
priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at
all,
(50)  Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man
should die for the people, and that the whole nation
perish not.
(51)  And this spake he not of himself: but being high
priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for
that nation;
(52)  And not for that nation only, but that also he should
gather together in one the children of God that were
scattered abroad.
(53)  Then from that day forth they took counsel together
for to put him to death.
(54)  Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the
Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the
wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there
continued with his disciples.
(55)  And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many
went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the
passover, to purify themselves.
(56)  Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among
themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye,
that he will not come to the feast?
(57)  Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had
given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he
were, he should shew it, that they might take him.

Jews being under Roman rule were afraid they would lose
there livelihood and their home if word leaked out about
the resurrection of Lazarus. They feared the government
would seek to destroy them as well as Jesus for Jesus
was gaining in popularity. Gaining popularity to the point
that it might seem like riot to overthrow the government.
If Roman thought this they would take temple, and their
home away. The High Priest Caiaphas decide that year
that one man must die for the people. Jesus must die so
that people would be saved from on slaughter. Yet Jesus
death and resurrection would bring about a spiritual
revival that would cause Roman to burn Jerusalem in 70 A.
D. and not only burn the city but continue the persecution
of believers. Roughly forty years after Christ resurrection
the temple was destroyed. Yet the message of Christ
would live on in the hearts of every believer. One can
destroy the buildings but they can not destroy the faith of
individual. What this means, is each person must decide
what they believe based on what God speaks to their
heart and soul. Each person must decide if they believe
who Jesus claimed to be the Word of God, the
Resurrection and the Life. What one’s believes spiritual
should not effect our governmental powers, yet even they
are subject to God whether they believe or not. Yet our
earthly government should always be about protecting
the people in the since of persecution, abuse and
freedoms. Government has a tall order, yet God desires
us to make our own choices. God speaks to all of us
sometime or another, sometimes through his creation,
sometimes through His still small voice, sometimes
through the working of miracles, sometimes through
scripture and sometimes through audible voice. However
God speaks to you, do you believe Him. Does what you
hear is truth if it not it is not God and it surely is not the
Son of God. This miracle of raising of Lazarus caused
many to believe even those against Christ. The miracles
that God does through our life and our own actions that
testify of God the Father, Son the Holy Spirit will cause
both the enemy to rise and the believers to rise. For both
believe in God. Do not be so surprised when opposition
comes your way when you believe.
Creative Commons License
Come Forth From The Grave by Christina Farris is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.